Obituary for Lyle Arthur Blanchard
Lyle Arthur Blanchard, 93, of Williamstown, MA died on Tuesday May 21, 2024, at Williamstown Commons.
He was born in North Adams, MA on October 11, 1930, a son of Danforth Verne Blanchard and Doretta (Brown) Blanchard. He graduated from Drury High School.
Lyle served in the Mass. National Guard Airborne Division. He was a self-taught engineer working at Sprague Electric Co. from 1951 until 1982, in the inspection department for electronics, many of which were for the NASA Space Program. Upon the closing of Sprague Electric, he went to work for Rockwell/Boeing and in that capacity lived for a time in Nebraska and Canada until his retirement in 2001. After his retirement, Lyle started a livery business, serving Williams College students and professors, as well as many private clients.
Lyle was a member of the First Baptist Church in North Adams. He was a proud member of the Berkshire Lodge of Masons, in Adams, for over 50 years and was a past master.
Lyle truly loved being with people and animals and not necessarily always in that order.
Survivors include his wife, Marlene (Roy) Blanchard of Williamstown and two daughters, Lee Ann (Lawrence) Mullins of North Adams, Laurien Brolin of Arlington TX, and two stepsons, Martin Bush, and Craig Bush. He also leaves ten grandchildren, Jessica Shepley (Tony); Katie Leonesio, Emilie Weber (Richard); James V. Leonesio Jr; Andrew M. Leonesio (Angela), Griffin Talley, Jared Brolin, Alyssa Bush, Aaron Bush, and Alex Bush; and six great grandchildren, Rachael, Ozzie, Rowan, Arianna, Shayla and Kylie and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews. He was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters, Doris Gaudette, Muriel Goodrich, Charlotte Goodrich, Danforth “Red” Blanchard and Ralph Blanchard.
FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral for Lyle Blanchard will be Tuesday May 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the church are Tuesday morning from 9:00-11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS CENTRAL CHAPEL, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com
He was born in North Adams, MA on October 11, 1930, a son of Danforth Verne Blanchard and Doretta (Brown) Blanchard. He graduated from Drury High School.
Lyle served in the Mass. National Guard Airborne Division. He was a self-taught engineer working at Sprague Electric Co. from 1951 until 1982, in the inspection department for electronics, many of which were for the NASA Space Program. Upon the closing of Sprague Electric, he went to work for Rockwell/Boeing and in that capacity lived for a time in Nebraska and Canada until his retirement in 2001. After his retirement, Lyle started a livery business, serving Williams College students and professors, as well as many private clients.
Lyle was a member of the First Baptist Church in North Adams. He was a proud member of the Berkshire Lodge of Masons, in Adams, for over 50 years and was a past master.
Lyle truly loved being with people and animals and not necessarily always in that order.
Survivors include his wife, Marlene (Roy) Blanchard of Williamstown and two daughters, Lee Ann (Lawrence) Mullins of North Adams, Laurien Brolin of Arlington TX, and two stepsons, Martin Bush, and Craig Bush. He also leaves ten grandchildren, Jessica Shepley (Tony); Katie Leonesio, Emilie Weber (Richard); James V. Leonesio Jr; Andrew M. Leonesio (Angela), Griffin Talley, Jared Brolin, Alyssa Bush, Aaron Bush, and Alex Bush; and six great grandchildren, Rachael, Ozzie, Rowan, Arianna, Shayla and Kylie and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews. He was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters, Doris Gaudette, Muriel Goodrich, Charlotte Goodrich, Danforth “Red” Blanchard and Ralph Blanchard.
FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral for Lyle Blanchard will be Tuesday May 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the church are Tuesday morning from 9:00-11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS CENTRAL CHAPEL, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com